You win some, you lose some.
Many thanks to all of you who participated in the democratic process this spring to try to get the Vulnerable User bill (SB 191) passed. Despite passing unanimously in the Senate, the House again failed to bring the bill to vote. Bike Walk Connecticut testified on a number of cycling and pedestrian-related bills during this year's legislative session. Wins in our column include the defeat of two bills that would have required single file riding for cyclists (SB 103 and HB 5246). We supported the Comprehensive Energy Strategy Bill (HB 6360) for its inclusion of a transportation section that addressed bikeable, walkable communities and transit-oriented development. We also supported distracted driving enforcement bills, one of which passed (HB 6033). That bill, enacted as Public Act No. 13-271, increases the fines for violating the ban on driving while operating a cell phone, texting, or engaging in any activity that interferes with a vehicle's safe operation. Fines are now $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second offense, and $500 for third and subsequent offenses. Additionally, Public Act 13-271 makes those violations part of the driver's motor vehicle record and be available to insurers. The new law also requires the DMV commissioner to assess at least one point on the record of a driver who violates the law banning drivers from using a cell phone, texting, or engaging in any activity that interferes with a vehicle's safe operation. Finally, the new law creates a task force to: evaluate the effectiveness of existing distracted driving laws; examine their enforcement; and make recommendations, including legislation, to prevent distracted driving in the state. The task force must report to the Transportation Committee by January 1, 2014 and terminates when it submits its report. For the full list of bills on Bike Walk Connecticut's watchlist, see www.bikewalkct.org/advocacy or click here. Great news! The Senate passed the SB 191, the Vulnerable User bill at 10:19 pm on May 30 by a unanimous vote. Now we need the House to bring the bill up for a vote too, and pass it. Please contact House Leadership and your State Representative to get the bill passed this year. There are just 5 days left to get the Vulnerable User Bill, SB 191, passed in the 2013 legislative session, which ends June 5.
So is the fourth time the charm? It could be, if all of you on our distribution list take just a few minutes to let your legislators know you want this bill passed, finally, this year. ................................................................................................................................... SB 191 Encourages Safety. Safer Conditions Encourage More Cycling and Walking. By raising awareness of the rights of cyclists and pedestrians to share the road and creating penalties for reckless driving that kills or injures vulnerable users, SB 191 will create safer conditions for everyone. Safer conditions encourage more people to get around by bike or on foot-and that's good public policy. Adopting SB 191 will make Connecticut a more Bike-Friendly State, and that's good for the economy, the environment, and our health. Getting a Vulnerable User bill passed is Bike Walk Connecticut's top legislative priority. It's also the first order of business on Connecticut's Bicycle Friendly Report Card, issued by the League of American Bicyclists. Connecticut is becoming more bike friendly, moving up in rank from 20th place in 2012 to 18th place in 2013. We can do better though, and we should. The Vulnerable User bill is good public policy. Let's make this the year we pass it. Thank you for speaking up for a bikeable, walkable Connecticut! Together, we can make good things happen. Bike Walk Connecticut issued the following alert to members of the Connecticut House of Representatives on May 31, after the Senate passed SB 191 the previous night.
Please Raise and Pass SB 191, the Vulnerable User Bill-- This Year! With just 6 days left in the 2013 legislative session, Bike Walk Connecticut urges you to raise and pass SB 191, the Vulnerable User bill. Now that the Senate has passed the bill, it's up to you! The cycling and pedestrian community is highly committed to seeing this bill passed this year. SB 191 Encourages Safety. Safer Conditions Encourage More Cycling and Walking. By raising awareness of the rights of cyclists and pedestrians to share the road and creating penalties for reckless driving that kills or injures vulnerable users, SB 191 will create safer conditions for everyone. Safer conditions encourage more people to get around by bike or on foot -- and that's good public policy. Adopting SB 191 Will Make Connecticut a More Bike-Friendly State. It's also the first order of business on Connecticut's Bicycle Friendly Report Card, issued by the League of American Bicyclists. Connecticut is becoming more bike friendly, moving up in rank from 20th place in 2012 to 18th place in 2013. We can do better though, and we should. Being More Bike-Friendly is Good for Economic Development, the Environment, and Public Health. Being more bike-friendly is good for our environment, good for our health, and good for our pocketbooks. It's also good for the state's economy. Cycling is good for tourism. It's also a key ingredient in transportation-oriented development, vibrant communities and thriving, resilient commercial districts, and in attracting and retaining younger workers and the creative class who insist on realistic transportation options beyond the car. The Fourth Time's the Charm. This is at least the fourth year the Vulnerable User bill has come before the legislature. Every year the bill has enjoyed broad bipartisan, bicameral support. The Vulnerable User bill is good public policy. Let's make this the year we pass it. Thank you for working together for a more bikeable, walkable Connecticut. Sincerely, Kelly Kennedy, Executive Director Bike Walk Connecticut For Safer Streets, Bike Walk CT Urges Legislators to Pass "Vulnerable User" Bill by June 55/30/2013
Bike Walk Connecticut's top legislative priority is to get the Vulnerable User bill, SB 191, passed in the 2013 legislative session. We urge legislative leaders to bring the bill to a vote, and pass it, before time again runs out.
------------------------ May 30, 2013 Sen. Donald E. Williams, Jr., President Pro Tem Sen. Martin Looney, Senate Majority Leader Sen. John McKinney, Senate Minority Leader Rep. J. Brendan Sharkey, Speaker of the House Rep. Joe Aresimowicz, House Majority Leader Rep. Lawrence F. Cafero, Jr. House Minority Leader Re: Please Raise and Pass SB 191, the Vulnerable User Bill Dear Legislative Leaders: With just a few days left in the 2013 legislative session, Bike Walk Connecticut urges you to raise and pass SB 191, the Vulnerable User bill. SB 191 Encourages Safety. Safer Conditions Encourage More Cycling and Walking. By raising awareness of the rights of cyclists and pedestrians to share the road and creating penalties for reckless driving that kills or injures vulnerable users, SB 191 will create safer conditions for everyone. Safer conditions encourage more people to get around by bike or on foot—and that’s good public policy. Adopting SB 191 Will Make Connecticut a More Bike-Friendly State. Adopting a vulnerable user bill is not just Bike Walk Connecticut’s top legislative priority, it’s also the first order of business on Connecticut’s Bicycle Friendly Report Card, issued by the League of American Bicyclists. Connecticut is becoming more bike friendly, moving up in rank from 20th place in 2012 to 18th place in 2013. We can do better though, and we should. Being More Bike-Friendly is Good for Economic Development, the Environment, and Public Health. Being more bike-friendly is good for our environment, good for our health, and good for our pocketbooks. It’s also good for the state’s economy. Cycling is good for tourism. It’s also a key ingredient in transportation-oriented development, vibrant communities and thriving, resilient commercial districts, and attracting and retaining a younger workers and the creative class who insist on realistic transportation options beyond the car. The Fourth Time’s the Charm. This is at least the fourth year the Vulnerable User bill has come before the legislature. Every year the bill has enjoyed broad bipartisan, bicameral support. The Vulnerable User bill is good public policy. Let’s make this the year we pass it. Thank you for considering these views and for working together for a more bikeable, walkable Connecticut. Sincerely, Kelly Kennedy, Executive Director Bike Walk Connecticut Bike Walk Connecticut member Colleen Kelly Alexander's triumph over her near death experience after being hit while cycling is chronicled in this Patch story by Lisa Lenkiewicz.
"For many years, Colleen Kelly Alexander rode her bicycle every week for about 300 miles, including the 10-mile journey from her home in Clinton, Connecticut, to work. One fall day in 2011, as she biked home, tragedy struck--a 30-ton freight truck went through a stop sign and slammed into her, crushing her and leaving her near death. Rushed to Yale-New Haven Hospital, she “flatlined” twice. But she survived. Then she faced countless operations to repair her body parts and endured weeks of arduous physical therapy." ... Read the full Patch story here. Then, please write or call your legislator to urge them to support the Vulnerable User bill. Details here. Please email or call your legislators to support SB 191, the Vulnerable User bill! See customizable message below The Vulnerable User bill has been a top priority on our legislative agenda. This bill has come before the legislature several times in recent years, but for various reasons has never made it over the finish line. This year could be different--but only if we all speak up! Since our last newsletter, SB 191, the 2013 version of the Vulnerable User Bill, has made it out of committee and was put on the Senate Calendar. Then on April 18 it was referred by the Senate to the Committee on Insurance and Real Estate. Read the Bill Read the Plain Language Summary This bill is not as strong as we would like it to be, but progress is made in increments. We need to speak up now to keep this bill moving and approved during the 2013 legislative session. Scroll down for a sample message and FAQs. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Please email or call your legislators to support the Vulnerable User bill! See customizable message below ___________________________________________________________________________________
Customizable Message in Support of Vulnerable User BillDear [Your State Senator and Representative--FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR]
As a constituent, cyclist and a proponent of bikeable, walkable communities, I am writing in support of Senate Bill 191, “An Act Concerning the Penalty for Causing Harm to a Vulnerable User of a Public Way.” I urge you to support SB 191 too. SB 191 is an important step toward raising awareness of vulnerable road users and holding reckless drivers accountable for crashes that involve the serious injury or death of a vulnerable road user. SB 191 would:
I hope you will support this important bill this year. Sincerely, Your Name Your Address [please copy bikewalkct@bikewalkct.org] "We understand the conditions that lead to pedestrian deaths, and we have proven tools to prevent these tragedies. It's time to put these tools to use. We must redesign Connecticut's roads and enhance traffic enforcement to make our roads safe for everyone."
So writes Amy Schwartz, a primary care physician at VA Connecticut Healthcare System and a member of Elm City Cycling in a recent op-ed in the CT Post. Schwartz calls for Governor Malloy to direct the Connecticut Department of Transportation to redesign the outdated Connecticut Highway Design Manual, the standard reference book used by the state's road designers and engineers, to include information about designing streets that are safe for all users. "Speed and red light cameras can enforce traffic laws by recording vehicles that exceed the speed limit or fail to stop at red lights," continues Schwartz, who adds that "Connecticut should also pass a vulnerable-users bill to increase penalties for careless drivers who injure or kill pedestrians, cyclists or highway workers." > Read the full CT Post op-ed from Amy Schwartz, a primary care physician at VA Connecticut Healthcare System and a member of Elm City Cycling. Credit: Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition Connecticut's 2013 legislative session opened on January 9. It's early in the session, but Bike Walk Connecticut is aware of one bill in particular that has a lot of people talking. Proposed Senate Bill 103 would amend Conn. Gen. Stat. §14-286b to require cyclists to ride single file to allow motorists to safely pass and give cyclists the 3-foot buffer that current law requires. Bike Walk Connecticut appreciates the safety sentiment behind the proposed bill. However, subsection (b) of Conn. Gen. Stat. §14-286b already provides that “Persons riding two abreast … shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic …” Accordingly, rather than amend current law, Bike Walk Connecticut would prefer that Connecticut re-commit to and enforce a vigorous Share the Road campaign to promote the legal, safe and courteous use of the roads by all users. |
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